Manufacturer: Breguet Year: 1968 Movement No: 4211 Case No: 4289 Material: 18K white gold Calibre: Automatic, cal. 11 1/2"' , 17 jewels Bracelet/Strap: 18K white gold 180mm max lenght Clasp/Buckle: 18K white gold folding clasp Dimensions: 33mm Diameter Signed: Dial signed, case and movement numbered Accessories: Accompanied by Breguet fitted box and Breguet Certificate confirming sale of the present watch in December 1968.
Catalogue Essay
During the second half of the 20th century, Breguet focused mainly on the production of military and civilian Type XX chronographs meaning that wristwatches that did not fall into this latter category were made in very limited numbers each year and are consequently extremely rare.
The present model from 1968 features the design codes originally set out by the great Abraham-Louis Breguet over 200 years before, such as the coin edges of the case and the typical guilloche dial. However, what the biggest surprises in the present model are the straight baton hands instead of the typical Breguet hands, and the date window located at 6 o’clock, something rarely seen in the company’s dress watches at the time.
According to scholarship this model was produced predominantly in yellow gold. Only approximately ten versions are known to be housed in a white gold case.
This rare timepiece, from from the original owner was a Christmas gift from his wife who had a playful rabbit engraved on the back a wink to a brooch worn by the owner's mother.
It is always an exciting moment when we come across a timepiece that was unknown to the collector community. From the original owner and in overall excellent condition, with a period correct white gold bracelet, crisp hallmark on the lug, and original fitted box, the present Breguet will tick all the boxes for the collector of rare timepieces.
We sincerely thank Montres Breguet and especially M. Emmanuel Breguet, for kindly supplying us with information from the archives.
Established in 1775 by Abraham Louis Breguet, widely considered the greatest watchmaker of all time, the storied brand continues to thrive in the modern era, creating exceptional high-end watches as the Swatch Group's premier prestige brand. Some of the most important and lasting inventions in watchmaking are attributed to Abraham Louis Breguet, including the tourbillon, shock resistance and the use of hammers and gongs employed in nearly all minute repeating watches made since.
Eighteenth and nineteenth century Breguet pocketwatches are especially sought-after by collectors, and many of them were made for the elite of European society, including Napoléon and Marie Antoinette. Key wristwatches from the twentieth century include oversized dress watches, two-register chronographs, triple calendars and Type XX aviator's chronographs made for the French military and civilians.